Scotland’s unionist parties have hit-out at Nicola Sturgeon’s bid to “reheat” the case for independence.
The Scottish Conservatives have launched a petition in a bid to drum up public opposition to a second vote, while Scottish Labour accused the First Minister of “deciding to drag Scotland back to the arguments of the past”.
Alastair Cameron, director of the Scotland in Union campaign group, said Ms Sturgeon had a “tin ear” by failing to respect the 2014 result.
The Tories, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have all publicly reaffirmed their opposition to a second plebiscite.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “Nicola Sturgeon has shown that she is prepared to ignore the priorities of the people of Scotland, in pursuit of her own narrow nationalist agenda.
“If she was really listening, she would know that most of us don’t want to go back to another divisive referendum debate – we want Scotland to move on.
“And she would know that reheating the referendum debate will only add a further cloud of uncertainty over Scotland’s future, just at the moment when we need a government dedicated to security and stability.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale agreed that a second constitutional ballot would distract Ms Sturgeon from the job of government.
She said: “The majority of Scotland had hoped Nicola Sturgeon was listening on 18 September 2014.
“In the coming week Nicola Sturgeon has the opportunity to lay a programme for government before the most powerful Scottish Parliament ever.
“Instead of reforming education to give our young people the skills they need to compete for the jobs of the future, Nicola Sturgeon is deciding to drag Scotland back to the arguments of the past.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP added: “The first minister has broken the consensus at the Scottish Parliament over Brexit and has given up on anything but a second independence drive.”
Scots voted 55% to 45% in favour of staying in the UK in the 2014 referendum.
Scotland In Union’s Mr Cameron said: “The First Minister says she is listening but shows a tin ear to the majority of Scots who voted No and don’t want another referendum.”